12 – 14 June 2019

Chatting with InChat: chatbots for research

Session type:Hands-On

Session duration:90 minutes

Presented by:

Hector-Michael Fried

Rory Gianni

About this Hands-On

This workshop is designed to teach a methodology using chatbots for ethnographic and user research. We will take you through the practice of a techno-cultural probe in use, then teach you how to design a basic dialogue framework for the purpose of conducting your own research. We will also consider useful additions like NLP, machine learning and other automated functions. It’s best to be practical in use - simple often gets the job done best.

About the Speakers

Hector-Michael Fried

Hector Michael Fried (InChat co-founder) is a design anthropologist and artist. Hector’s research explores the use of technological probes towards qualitative and ethnographic inquiry, while applying it to industry issues around service design. He has specific interest in IoT with an emphasis on contextualising the growing relationship between things, humans and AI. At Design Informatics he has worked with Edinburgh City Council towards its Public Art Research Project and conducted research under the Internet of Things Research Hub (PETRAS), as well teaching chatbot methods to the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Rory Gianni

Rory Gianni (InChat co-founder) is a freelance developer, trainer and creative technologist. He has over 9 years' experience working with public sector organisations, start-ups and universities, helping them take their early stage concepts to production. Rory is passionate about sharing and advocating the advantages of digital technology, delivering training on web development, civic technology, and open data. Rory is a registered Open Data Institute (ODI) Open Data Trainer.